Athletics Canada nominates largest squad to Team Canada for Rio

A colossal 65-athlete team has been named to compete for Canada in athletics at Rio 2016.

Following four days of Olympic trials in Edmonton, Athletics Canada nominated its team on Monday morning, which will be more than one fifth the size of the entire Canadian athlete delegation at the Games this summer.

Charles Philibert-Thiboutot celebrating after realizing he is going to Rio for the 1500m at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. (Steve Boudraeu/COC)

Crystal Emmanuel celebrates her win in the senior women’s 200 metre final during the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta., on Sunday, July 10, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dan Riedlhuber

Tim Nedow makes his throw leads during the senior men’s shot put finals at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta., on Sunday July 10, 2016.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Melissa Bishop crosses the finish line in the senior women 800m run during the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta., on Sunday July 10, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dan Riedlhuber

Damian Warner competes a heat of the senior men 110m hurdles during the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta., on Sunday July 10, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dan Riedlhuber

Andre De Grasse leads during the senior men’s 200 metre semifinals at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta., on Sunday July 10, 2016.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Carline Muir reacts following her win of the senior women’s 400 metre final at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta., on Saturday, July 9, 2016.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Derek Drouin makes his jump during the senior men’s semifinal at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta., on Saturday, July 9, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Alyxandria Treasure makes her jump during the senior women’s high jump final at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta., on Saturday July 9, 2016.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Elizabeth Gleadle competes during the senior women’s javelin final at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta., on Friday July 8, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dan Riedlhuber

Sage Watson crosses the finish line in the senior women’s 400m hurdle final at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta., on Friday, July 8, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dan Riedlhuber

Brittany Crew makes her throw during the senior women’s discus final at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta., on Friday, July 8, 2016.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Brianne Theisen-Eaton makes her throw during the senior women’s qualifying at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta., on Friday, July 8, 2016.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Noelle Montcalm crosses the finish line ahead of Chanice Chase to win in the senior women’s 400m hurdle final at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta., on Friday, July 8, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dan Riedlhuber

Mohammed Ahmed (R) finishes ahead of the field in the senior men 5000m final at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta., on Thursday July 7, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dan Riedlhuber

Canada’s Lanni Marchant smiles after racing to a fourth place finish in the women’s marathon at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland on Sunday, July 27, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

Alysha Newman on competing in pole vault at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. (Steve Boudraeu/COC).

Brendan Rodney after competing in the 200m at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. Rodney will also be representing Canada in the 4x100m relay (Steve Boudraeu/COC).

Farah Jaques will be going to Rio for the 4×100 women’s relay after she qualified at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. (Steve Boudraeu/COC)

Kimberly Hyacinthe sprinting in the 200m at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. Hyacinthe will also be running in the 4x100m relay (Steve Boudraeu/COC).

Brandon McBride competing in the 800m at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. (Steve Boudraeu/COC)

Christabel Nettey competing in long jump at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. (Steve Boudraeu/COC)

Nikkita Holder will be headed to Rio for 100m hurdles after qualifying at at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. (Steve Boudraeu/COC)

Phylicia George is headed to Rio for 100m hurdles after qualifying at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. George will also be competing in the 4x100m relay (Steve Boudraeu/COC)

Chance Chase before competing in the 400m hurdles at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. Chase will also be competing in the 4x400m relay (Steve Boudraeu/COC)

Angela Whyte, headed to Rio for the 100m hurdles after qualifying at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. (Steve Boudraeu/COC)

Sekou Kaba will be headed to Rio for the 100m hurdles after qualifying at at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. (Steve Boudraeu/COC)

Jonathan Carbal in the 100m hurdles event at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. (Steve Boudraeu/COC)

Aaron Brown sprinting in the 200m at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. Brown will also be representing Canada in the 100m and the 4x100m (Steve Boudraeu/COC)

Marissa Kurtimah will be headed to Rio for the 4x100m relay at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. (Steve Boudraeu/COC).

Shawn Barber competing in pole vault at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. (Steve Boudraeu/COC)

Khamica Bingham will be headed to Rio for the 4x100m relay after qualifying at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. (Steve Boudraeu/COC).

Erin Teschuk, headed to Rio for the 3000m steeplechase after qualifying for at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. (Steve Boudraeu/COC).

Maria Bernard, headed to Rio for the 3000m steeplechase after qualifying at at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. (Steve Boudraeu/COC).

Genevieve Lalonde headed to Rio for the 3000m steeplechase after qualifying at at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. (Steve Boudraeu/COC).

Micha Powell headed to Rio for the 4x400m relay after qualifying at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. (Steve Boudraeu/COC).

Nathan Brannan, going to Rio for the 1500m after qualifying at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. (Steve Boudraeu/COC).

Nicole Sifuentes, headed to Rio for the 1500m after qualifying at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. (Steve Boudraeu/COC).

Andrea Seccafien, headed to Rio for the 5000m after qualifying at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. (Steve Boudraeu/COC).

Jessica O’Connell, headed to Rio for the 5000m after qualifying at the Canadian Track and Field Championships and Selection Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Edmonton, Alta. (Steve Boudraeu/COC).

The leading lights of this group are Canada’s seven individual world medallists from Beijing 2015, although a hungry and emerging pool of talented runners, walkers, jumpers and throwers will be eager for their chance to take a lap around the Olympic track waving the maple leaf.

Team Canada in athletics will boast two world champions in high jumper Derek Drouin, and Shawn Barber in the pole vault.

Drouin already has an Olympic bronze from London 2012, though after his exploits in Beijing, he will be eager to try a different step of the podium in Rio. The high jumper is coolness-under-pressure personified, having won two world championship medals, as well as gold at the Commonwealth and Pan American Games since London.

Derek Drouin clears the bar during men’s high jump at Olympic trials on July 9, 2016.

In Barber, Canada has an Olympic pole vaulter who did the unbelievable at worlds last year, getting the best of France’s Renaud Lavillenie – the most dominant figure in the discipline – to win gold. Since then Barber has joined the exclusive six-metre club in pole vault and has the belief that he is destined for greater success.

Of the other athletes who stood on a world championship podium last summer, bronze medallist Andre De Grasse will highlight the men’s 100m, after winning the glamour event at Olympic trials in 9.99 seconds.

In combined events, Brianne Theisen-Eaton and Damian Warner – both world silver medallists in the heptathlon and decathlon, respectively, in Beijing – are going to their second Olympic Games, having achieved much success in their discipline since London 2012, including winning the Hypo-Meeting in Gotzis, Austria.

Canada’s middle distance running contingent will be led by Melissa Bishop, the world silver medallist returning to the Games for a second time after winning the women’s 800m in Edmonton, posting another sub-two minute time.

Most top race walkers were absent from trials, but Canada boasts one of the strongest teams on the planet in this category, evidenced by an IAAF World Team Championship silver medal this year and Ben Thorne’s individual bronze at last year’s worlds, which got Team Canada rolling in Beijing and medals followed on a nightly basis.

A post shared by Canadian Olympic Team (@teamcanada) on Jul 8, 2016 at 7:09am PDT

While the decorated athletes above will receive plenty of attention, Canadians will have a far larger selection to follow in Rio.

Sprinters Aaron Brown and Brendon Rodney will head into the Games with something to prove. Brown has posted his first sub-10 second time in the 100m this summer and Rodney blasted out of the blocks at trials to clock an astonishing 19.96 seconds in the 200m on a cold, wet track. They’ll be an integral part of the men’s 4x100m relay team with Akeem Haynes, Bolade Ajomale and Segun Makinde. Canada won bronze in that event at worlds.

A post shared by Canadian Olympic Team (@teamcanada) on Jul 9, 2016 at 11:35am PDT

Liz Gleadle will be launching the javelin in Rio. The Canadian record holder joins a strong list of throwers that include Tim Nedow (men’s shot put) and returning Olympian Heather Steacy (women’s hammer).